Robin Leadbeater

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Viewing 20 posts - 281 through 300 (of 1,154 total)
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  • in reply to: Fireball spectrum #584640
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    Yes it was already clear in 2019 😉

    The OI 7774 line is possibly there under the 2nd order but out of focus

    in reply to: Nova in Hercules #584630
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    Now at mag 16 but still within range of a very low resolution spectrum with the ALPY200.

    The spectrum with several forbidden nebula lines looks similar to that of  another very fast nova Sgr 1991 at similar age in Gray & Corbally , where the tentative line identifications come from

    Cheers

    Robin

    in reply to: VV Cep eclipse paper in JBAA #584619
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

     (is a 50% increase in effective radius due to pulsations feasible?)”

    Though of course a smaller change in radius would be sufficient depending on the path of the hot star behind the M star 

    in reply to: VV Cep eclipse paper in JBAA #584618
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    Yes I agree. If the continuous brightness variations are  due to radial pulsations of the M star, these would produce changes in the effective radius (and opacity?)  of the M star. These could could asymmetrically shift the mid eclipse point dependent on their timing. (is a 50% increase in effective radius due to pulsations feasible?)

    Cheers

    Robin

    in reply to: VV Cep eclipse paper in JBAA #584614
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    Hi Andy,

    The measurements pre 1997 were all based on the light curves which are indeed tricky to estimate the mid eclipse point from due to the continuing  brightness variability of the red giant throughout the eclipse seen in the AAVSO data in fig 5 of Hugh’s paper.  The photometry and spectroscopy were in good agreement within 7 days in 1998 though. 

    I have extracted  B-V  from the AAVSO data which is less influenced by brightness variations than using using V I think. I have marked Hugh’s spectroscopic mid eclipse and  the expected values based both on the earlier ephemeris and assuming a 60 day increase in period post 1978.

    Hugh’s value agrees well with the B-V data. The prediction based on a permanent increase in period is clearly not compatible  with the current data but perhaps there is enough wriggle room to say that the original ephemeris is ok and the 1997-1998 eclipse data (both spectroscopic and photometric) was anomalous for some reason? 

    Cheers

    Robin

    in reply to: VV Cep eclipse paper in JBAA #584615
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    The argument for something to have happened though between 1978 and 1998 is convincing from fig 4 of the 1999 Graczyk et al paper if the error bars are to be believed

    in reply to: Recurrent Nova RS Oph #584594
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    There is an absolutely stunning high resolution  echelle spectrum covering 3750-9300A in the BAA database from Joan Guarro Flo taken 20210809.838 using an amateur designed (by Tim Lester) home built remotely operated instrument. (zoom in to view the narrow P Cygni lines from the stellar wind superimposed on the broad nova ejecta lines)  An impressive example of the progress in amateur spectroscopy since the last outburst.

    Cheers

    Robin

    in reply to: Recurrent Nova RS Oph #584591
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    “The narrow unshifted feature comes from the circumsystem material from previous outbursts”

    Correction that should be  ….from interaction with the relatively slow moving red giant wind. This looks a good reference for the evolution of the optical spectrum in the 2006 outburst

    https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/474/3/4211/4768437

    Robin

    in reply to: Recurrent Nova RS Oph #584589
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    This is only the start!  (The narrow unshifted feature comes from the circumsystem material from previous outbursts). If it follows earlier outburst there is lots more strangeness to come. Watch for highly ionised coronal lines (like [Fe X, XI, XIV]  and [A X] etc) produced as the shock heats the gas to 1 million K plus. There is an interesting account of taking spectra early in the 1958 outburst by George Wallerstein in the 2005 S&T article.

    https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/celestial-objects-to-watch/when-will-rs-ophiuchi-next-blow-its-stack/

    Robin

    in reply to: Recurrent Nova RS Oph #584579
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    A series of spectra from 2006 taken using a Star Analyser. 

    http://www.threehillsobservatory.co.uk/astro/spectra_24.htm

    I expect there will be many more spectra this time

    Cheers

    Robin

    in reply to: Ticket to ride! #584576
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    I was thinking I might offset some of the cost (~0.3%) by applying for a Ridley grant but unfortunately I see the conditions specifically exclude travel expenses.

    Robin

    in reply to: Vixen Porta mount #584572
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    Sounds it is a common issue eg

    https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/600195-vixen-porta-ii-slow-mo-knob-fix-for-some/

    If  the shaft is the same diameter, swap them out for something like these perhaps?

    EDIT: from the one review on  there it seems it is indeed a good solution for the porta mount

    https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-slow-motion-cable-set.htm

    (other retailers are available)

    Cheers

    Robin

    in reply to: Outburst of the WZ Sge star V627 Peg #584569
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    After a brief plateau of a few days the brightness  started dropping rapidly last night and the emission in the core of the Balmer absorption lines has increased.

    Robin

    in reply to: Nova Vul 2021 #584568
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    Again excellent agreement with mine ~2 hrs later (using a different MILES reference star HD192640) though the the blueward absorption in the H alpha line is not resolved in the R 500 ALPY spectrum 

    Robin

    in reply to: Nova Vul 2021 #584566
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    Significantly fainter in the spectrograph guider tonight and the spectrum has changed completely once again with a host of strong broad emission lines appearing.

    Robin

    in reply to: Nova Vul 2021 #584563
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    The H alpha emission line has weakened further and is now showing a P Cygni profile (velocity ~600km/s). The rest of the spectrum now resembles that of a G/K star photosphere but with some additional absorption lines, particularly in the red at ~7106/7766 A  (The other features in that area are Tellurics)

    Cheers

    Robin

    in reply to: Nova Vul 2021 #584561
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    The spectrum has changed significantly in  the past few days. Except for a relatively weak narrow H alpha emission, all the other lines previously in emission are now either missing or in net absorption.

    Cheers

    Robin

    in reply to: Nova Vul 2021 #584556
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    Hi Nick,

    I guess that is Nova Vul 2021 not 2001. Is that from Dan Green ? I wondered why he was asking about my instrumentation this afternoon. He must have posted it before I replied

    Cheers

    Robin

    in reply to: Nova Vul 2021 #584550
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    The evolution to an Fe II type nova as I highlighted in my spectrum from 24th July has now been confirmed 

    https://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=14816

    Cheers

    Robin

    in reply to: Error in ASIIMG FITS header #584544
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    As an engineer the FITS standard is pretty much the kind of thing that I would expect a scientist to write…”

    As someone who spent a career sat astride that particular fence I would have to agree !

    Either way it sounds like the ZWO software is definitely non compliant though

    Cheers

    Robin

Viewing 20 posts - 281 through 300 (of 1,154 total)